Cat Dad Takes Devotion To A New Level With ‘Cutest Tattoo Ever’
“[It] was not a question of if, but when.”
By Sarah Ashley
Published on Nov 15, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Kyle McAskill is covered in tattoos. He’s not sure how many there are after two decades of ink, but several have to do with his cats.
“I have a few tattoos for my pets — all cats,” McAskill told The Dodo. “Including one using the cremated remains of my first cat, Joshua.”
McAskill’s most recent pet tattoo is an unexpected yet fitting tribute to his cat, Walter. It’s not a pet portrait, and it doesn’t involve ashes (Walter is very much alive). It kind of looks like an alien sea creature.
In fact, it’s a picture of an orange plush fish that’s been chewed, pawed and licked for the past two years: Walter’s favorite toy.
McAskill adopted Walter in 2023 from Feline Friends Network, a rescue in Ontario, Canada. Walter, a green-eyed, gray-striped beauty, is a shy, loving cat. He’s about 5 years old and loves chasing balls around the room.
“Walter is very much a kitten just in a large format — about 15 pounds,” McAskill said. “Looks big and tough but will run for the hills anytime someone is about to sneeze.”
As a seasoned cat person, McAskill followed Walter’s lead when it came to cuddling and routine. Walter made it clear early on that he enjoys being alone, but won’t turn down playtime.
“One of his first toys when he came home was a small white lamb holding an even smaller orange fish,” McAskill said. “Maybe a day or so later, we found that Walter had ripped off the small fish and no longer cared about the lamb.”
https://volume.thedodo.com/embed/2d61a87f1?autoplay=true&loop=true&placement=article&player_type=chorus&tracking=article:lede&privacy_consent=allKyle McAskill
Since then, the fish has been Walter’s favorite thing. Sometimes, McAskill won’t see it for several days. Then, it’ll turn up out of the blue, Walter grasping it between his front paws, purring as he rubs it against his whiskers.
https://volume.thedodo.com/embed/a268dd500?autoplay=true&loop=true&placement=article&player_type=chorus&tracking=article:lede&privacy_consent=allKyle McAskill
McAskill knew getting a tattoo to honor Walter “was not a question of if, but when.”
He reached out to Melanie Wayland, a tattoo artist at Brindle Boy Tattoo, who also happened to be the friend who directed McAskill to Feline Friends Network.
Instead of designing a tattoo showing the toy as it once was, McAskill showed Wayland pictures of the fish in its current state. He wanted something more personal. The result is a perfectly imperfect tattered plush fish, stuffing poking out and thread dangling.
https://volume.thedodo.com/embed/acf96a0de?autoplay=true&loop=true&placement=article&player_type=chorus&tracking=article:lede&privacy_consent=allKyle McAskill
After posting his new ink on Reddit, commenters couldn’t get enough of it.
“Wtf this is the cutest tattoo idea I’ve ever seen,” one person wrote.
Another said they might borrow McAskill’s idea, adding, “My cat stole a unicorn plush from me when she was 6 weeks old, and she’s had it for 14 years now. It’s a mess, but it would make a really cute tattoo.”
McAskill is totally fine if he starts a new trend in the world of pet tattoos.
“My advice for those looking to get a tattoo for their pet would be to find an artist that is also a pet owner, who has a style you like foremost,” he said. “Find the person who is as excited about it as you are and have fun with it.”